Bijapur: In a major counter-insurgency operation, security forces gunned down 12 Maoists in an intense encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Sunday. The operation took place in the dense forests of Indravati National Park, where a joint team of security personnel was conducting an anti-Maoist mission. According to Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P, a large cache of weapons and explosives was recovered from the encounter site. The Maoists, who have been active in the region, suffered another major setback as this brings the total number of insurgents killed this year in Chhattisgarh to 62.

The encounter also resulted in casualties on the side of the security forces, with two personnel—one from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and another from the Special Task Force (STF)—losing their lives. Two other jawans sustained injuries but were reported to be in stable condition after being airlifted to a higher medical facility for treatment. Authorities have deployed additional reinforcements to the area, as search operations continue to flush out any remaining insurgents. The region, particularly Bastar division, remains a hotspot for Maoist activity, with 46 of the 62 deaths this year occurring in this area alone.

Last year saw a record number of Maoists neutralized, with security forces eliminating 219 insurgents in various encounters across Chhattisgarh. The latest crackdown highlights the government’s continued efforts to curb the influence of Maoist groups in the state. While security forces celebrate this tactical victory, the ongoing conflict underscores the deep-rooted insurgency problem in central India, where Maoists have long challenged state authority through armed resistance. Officials remain on high alert, with intelligence suggesting more insurgent activity in the surrounding districts.